ABOUT + CONTACT

Danielle Donaldson is an artist, author and educator renowned for her use of complex color palettes and delicately drawn details. Her work incorporates an imaginative array of subjects, from playfully rendered forest creatures, nautical landscapes encapsulated in glass jars, and pillow-forts filled with kittens.

CREATIVE PRACTICING

At the bottom of this page, you’ll find my semi-official guidelines to copying and selling art based on my book, online and in-person classes and a bunch of other stuff that is just a peek into how I look at these types of things. If you find yourself here – it may be because you emailed me for permission about something that has to do with my art or process and I sent you an email with this link.

This page will be updated regularly so check back for more! (official rules and regulations at bottom of page)

But first, let’s talk about the dreaded copying thing

Finding our own creative. Inspired by everything. Practicing over and over. The magical moment when we make it our own.

This is the art of creative practicing.

(in other words, when copying is looked at as a positive thing. something I truly believe is possible. as long as we use common sense and respect the process and the people involved.)

no. 1

send a text or email to someone you love outside of the creative world. include your piece of art and a piece of mine (or any other artist that has inspired you) and ask them for honest feedback... do these look the same or different and why. and ps. asking your mom or bff may not be the best person because they love you so much that they might leave out the constructive part of the feedback.
-now flip card-

How did it go?

and ask them for honest feedback... do these look the same or different and why. and ps. asking your mom or bff may not be the best person because they love you so much that they might leave out the constructive part of the feedback.

no. 2

set aside all notes, handouts, and sketchbooks. Turn off the class video, pinterest or the book. can you create in your newfound style/direction without all of the other stuff? was it super hard and frustrating? easy as pie? can you set it aside for a second time and create something similar with a smile on your face? -now flip card-

Thoughts

If this was hard, then you probably aren't there yet. Don't be afraid to share your process and keep working towards your own style. Practice, practice, practice! It is how every single artist gets where they want to go.

no. 3

make a list of the similarities and the differences between your art and the art or artist you have been practicing.

Make note of the supplies used, the color palette, the attention to detail, overall composition and other little details - how is yours different? -now flip card-

Results

If this was hard, then you probably aren't there yet. Don't be afraid to share your process and keep working towards your own style. Practice, practice, practice! It is how every single artist gets where they want to go.

I have talked a lot about creative practicing during my classes and in social media. And what that looks like to me. When everything I have soaked up and studied becomes mine.

It’s ok to copy when you are practicing. some would disagree and that is totally ok. I know that when i need to learn how to draw a unicorn, I have to look at a picture of an unicorn. Every single artist looks at other artists work, judges it in their own mind, mentally circles the parts that speak to her, crosses the other stuff off the list of possibilities. everyone*. and if they say they don’t, I call bull****.

*unless they are a hermit with no power and no access to a mailbox. those guys get a pass.

when is it NOT ok?

For me (and let me repeat it. FOR ME), it’s when you stare at it long enough that it is emblazoned in your noggin and you don’t even know it. And then you put it on paper. And you still don’t even know it but you pretty much recreated that tattooed mental image (creative muscle memory). When you hit the upload button and sweat it out a little inside. (I am pretty sure you know what I am talking about.) bravely sharing it as your own.

Most of the time, peeps don’t copy things and claim them as their own on purpose. But sometimes they do. And that is a shame.

I am not the girl that is going to sit around and point fingers. I honestly don’t have the energy to spare. (This is why you got the canned email response about your question – if you asked for permission) But I need a way to see it and let it go with goodness – and I need to give the world a little grace. But mostly,I need remind myself to be flattered that someone loves my stuff enough to take time to work it into their own art and that the process makes them happy. Because even creative goodness rolls downhill and I am NOT on top of the hill. not by a long shot.

so, you are asking, all of this sounds lovely, but how will I really know where the line is?

The boxes to the left give you some actionable ways to determine if you have found your own creative voice in your work – moving past copying (creative practicing) the front side gives you an action, and the flip side helps you work through your results.

CONSIDERATIONS AND LEGAL STUFF | Several of my points below are not about the law, they are about common courtesy and taking the time to be considerate of the personal side of my (full-time-paying-the-bills) creative business. The text in bold?These are the things that you need to know from a legal standpoint to protect the business I am growing.

My course content and art is mine – before, during and after. Why?

It took me a lifetime (50 big, long years) to get to this place in my art.

It was filled with a bazillion classes to learn stuff, years and years of creative practicing, tons of self-doubt, a plethora of you-got-this moments and a lot of amazing souls who help me in all the right ways. (that includes you, by the way. because you love my art and my process. and that means a lot.)

And it takes months of preparation to develop the content, create and edit the videos, and create written materials and tutorials for reference.

And last, i am working diligently to transition all of my hard work and love of art into a thriving business.

Don’t get me wrong. I love it when you share your story with little bits of me and my work sprinkled in for good measure. and I consider my art and process by business. Each time YOU share a bit of my work with your corner of the world, my business grows. And I am deeply grateful.

If you have taken a class with me or know me, you know that it pains me to make rules. Seriously. I am all about the sharing. I love to share what goes on in my head. the pretty parts, the ugly stuff and all the stuff in between. but business-danielle has to step in every once in a while and clarify stuff. I got some pretty darn good advice recently – she said that is is important to be clear, concise and to-the-point. concise is s daily struggle but I have tried to be as thoughtful and direct as I can about all this.

Blog Sharing
If you choose to blog about a class or a project, I ask that you tell your story using your words and your pictures. They are way more powerful and authentic than mine. Be mindful if it is a private class that you may be divulging my secrets that were meant for you (the paying customer). Be sure to let me know when you hit publish and I will do my best to come by and leave some love!

Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram Sharing
Feel free to share/reshare/repin/regram – that’s good for business-danielle and personal-danielle – I ask that you include my name, Danielle Donaldson and/or a link back to my website and/or social media.

If you share, redistribute or copy my Intellectual Property, in any public format you will receive a private (no public shaming allowed) cease and desist email/social media message to remove Property immediately.

If you do not respond accordingly to the cease and desist message, you will be removed from the class and will denied access to future classes I offer.

The art you create based on following my instructions – class projects, samples and exercises – are for your PERSONAL use only. You cannot sell them.Gifting them to those you love is perfectly ok. And they will love you for it. (Ex. you create a cute girl following a step-by-step – you cannot sell it.)

Please ask before taking photos or videos at in-person events. That includes me and my stuff and your fellow classmates. If you take photos of me, my work in progress, or my class examples that’s totally cool but they are for your personal use only. Feel free to take photos of your process and share them. Sharing is important!

Please don’t take photos or videos at in-person events of my finished art originals that I have displayed for sale.

If you are an artist/instructor, please don’t use any of my projects as a clear basis for projects in your class. Remember, it’s your specific style, not the content that makes your art yours. Do NOT ask me for permission – I will not give it. If you have to ask, you shouldn’t teach it. This isn’t a permission thing, this is a no-duh thing.

Last, if copy my art, you cannot sell it.Anywhere.This is serious copyright infringement.Even if it is to your bff, sister or grandma. again, gifts rock!

I encourage you ask questions for clarification in the comments section. you don’t have to agree with me – I just ask that comments are constructive, not destructive.

Now let’s get back to the good stuff for goodness sakes.

-Danielle Donaldson

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You can’t make experimental work by copying past work.

Trey Parker

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No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist.

I have always dreamed of having my own style of art, but still have NO idea what it is. I appreciate the encouragement though. I’ve seen too many books that encourage copying without the next step. I have your Creative Girl book and have started doing some exercises. I just ordered the DVD set and SO pumped to get them and take the next step in my creative journey. Thanks so much for your inspirational art and your helpful suggestions and lessons.

Danielle, My sister and I are so drawn to your water color classes (we have them all – I think _ and the book!).
We love your methods, your beautiful girls and your sense of humor. You are so much fun to watch time and again, and we learn lots every time we repeat watching a class class! Two huge fans say thank you for sharing!!
Jennifer and Sian

Hi!
I actually don’t know very well where to draw the line between copying and not copying. I’m still searching for my own voice, and it’s nowhere to be seen, but I have figured out that I love watercolor in soft shades, and are mostly drawn to whimsical imagery.
However, if I learn in your courses to flick my brush for droplets (which I adore), and doodle around them, and I apply that to my own work in the future, am I infringing your copyright?
Love,
Xenia

I am so excited about your very own online art class. I have been an artist all of my life of mostly realistic exotic wildlife. After having four children and being a stay at home mom, I have painted many large scale jungle murals. Painting large scale is really taking a toll on my body. After a series of unfortunate events with my health in the past few years, I have enjoyed working small. I found your classes online and spent an entire year practicing squares. I have yet to get to the cute sloth video. Your work is so refreshing. The colors, the softness in the tones, the lights and darks and most of all the simplicity in your sketches. I had the joy of recently purchasing two of your stash starters and I absolutely LOVE them. So silly I guess to be excited about paper scraps and watercolor bits but I adore them still, even the sweet ‘lil scrap of lace. I will find a fun way to sew the bits together with perhaps an encouraging quote so I can frame and hang it in my studio. TMI. …also, I was able to order some of the new stamps and a faux dori. LOVEit. YOur Jen friend is awesome! TTYL

Hi Danielle, I love, love, love painting this hedgehog — he is great. I also took your class through Jeanne Oliver Storybooks and Studious Girls and this helps to fill in some of the blank pages too. Thanks for this course

I am having some technical issues with your site. When I click contact to contact you about it, another technical issue. Can you help? I have been trying for over a week and I am having the same issue.

Hello. I have fallen in love with your artwork and am ready to jump in and begin water coloring. Your work is a huge inspiration for me. Could you please remind me which brand of white pen you use to highlight?

Is your fabric available anywhere? Do you have yardage you would like to sell (to me, of course)? I am taking your course at Donna Downey’s in April. Can’t wait for the new book. Is your course “All Things Wistful and Wise” still available? Happy Holidays.

Hi Danielle I have read a lot of your books and have taken several of your online classes. I love your work and how you teach because it makes me happy, and I create things to just surround myself with these happy things. I have a completely different style and I work with other materials, but when I’m taking a class with an artist such as yourself, I’m always looking for that story. What are the steps you took to get your work out there. You’ve mentioned that you work at home, sometimes in your living room, but who did you contact (not literally) or what did you do with your finished work to become recognizable so that other doors opened up for you?

Your newest book is fabulous. My self, my sister and our wonderful friend meet every week and paint together. Your work has become our inspiration for the last three weeks and we can’t wait to tackle all the lessons in “The Art of Creative Watercolor”. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and taking us with you on your creative journey .

Danielle, I am a late comer to your classes but have both of your books. I am caught up on my Art Troop classes. As a retired teacher of 36 years, I wanted to let you know how much I have learned from you, your wonderful work and details have been a blessing to me. I know how much work goes on behind the scenes to make these videos, handouts etc. Thank you for sharing your gift with me. Marian

So far, I have been pretty lucky. But I also worked as a director of ops for some very badass (all femaie) lawyers and I learned a thing or two. I am a huge believer in sharing my process, but I also am a proponent of protecting what is mine in terms of blatant copying. Did you have a specific question or feedback about something? I am happy to tweak or answer if I can!

Hi Danielle, I have lost a brother to ALS this year and the sudden death of my sister last month. I wanted you to know that when I turned on the Polar Bear video and just heard the little song I felt such peace. Your teaching has been a wonderful gift to me. Thank you so much.